Eight folks now face manslaughter probe after British ex-RAF check pilot, 49, died in Italian Alps aircraft crash
Eight people have been placed under formal investigation for manslaughter following the death of a British ex RAF test pilot in Italy.
Experienced flyer Dave Ashley, 49, died after his Leonardo Spa Aermacchi M346 plane crashed into a snow-covered mountain side three years ago.
The jet went down minutes after taking off. Shortly after it had stopped responding and although father of two Mr Ashley and his copilot Giampaolo Goattin ejected, he was killed.
Now MailOnline can reveal that prosecutors have decided to investigate Goattin, 43, and seven Leonardo Spa executives on suspicion of manslaughter following a lengthy investigation.
Now MailOnline can reveal that prosecutors have decided to pursue charges against Goattin, 43, and seven Leonardo Spa executives with manslaughter following a lengthy investigation.
Goattin had told prosecutors the plane stopped responding after they performed a ‘loop the loop’ and they both ejected as it slammed into Mt Legone near Lecco.
Tragically Mr Ashley landed violently into the rock face, while Goattin was able to grab onto a tree branch poking out from the mountain and he was found by a search and rescue team.
Initially the Italian pilot was hailed a hero for steering the plane away from a nearby village, but prosecutor Ezio Domenico Basso has now decided to send the eight before an investigating judge who will decide whether to charge them.
Eight people have been placed under formal investigation for manslaughter following the death of British ex RAF test pilot Dave Ashley, 49
Mr Ashley was married to wife Heather, and they had two sons, and three years before the accident survived another crash. He is pictured with his wife Heather in 2019
Goattin and the seven executives from Leonardo Spa are accused of negligent disaster and involuntary manslaughter because of the alleged violation of accident prevention regulations.
Prosecution sources say the plane’s avionics systems had not yet been completed and as a result it was subject to limitations that were breached during the ‘loop the loop’.
Italian media have claimed the plane was being rushed through tests as half a dozen had bene ordered by the Turkmenistan government and the order needed to be completed.
Mr Basso added:’ Responsibilities and contributions within a chain must be weighed.’
One source said:’ The plane was not mechanically ready, and it should have not been in Ashley’s hands.’
Footage from the rime of the crash in March 2022 showed black smoke billowing up from the side of the 8,200 ft mountain.
The black box data recorder was recovered as were transcripts and all form part of the investigation.
At the time a leaked report said the electronics of the fly-by-wire system were shorted by a solar storm, but this is now thought not to be the case.
Mr Ashley was married to wife Heather, and they had two sons, and three years before the accident survived another crash.
Mr Ashley was flying a M-346 trainer aircraft (pictured) which crashed during a ‘test flight’ in the mountains north of Lake Como
The plane went down near the town of Colico, near Lake Como (Pictured) in Italy at approximately 12:00pm on March 16 after it was conducting tests for the Italian Armed Forces
Mr Ashley joined the RAF on a scholarship at 17 and spent 18 years in the military before joining BAE Systems as a fighter pilot instructor
Pictured: Heather Ashley, widow of David Ashley, arriving at Bournemouth Town Hall in 2022
The former RAF Harrier and F18 pilot sustained a broken back, hip and ankle and a fractured eye socket during air combat manoeuvres while training in Qatar in July 2019.
His mask and visors were torn off during ejection and hit an object which shattered his eye socket.
Initially it was feared he had lost sight of his right eye after what he later described as a ‘particularly severe’ parachute landing while his back was already broken.
Mr Ashley joined the RAF on a scholarship as a 17-yearold spent 18 years in the military before joining BAE Systems as pilot instructor.
The family oved back from the Middle East to Poole in Dorset to help his rehabilitation.
A pre-inquest review has also been held in Bournemouth and a further one is scheduled later this month and evidence from the Italian case will be submitted.
At the first inquest in 2023 coroner Rachael Griffin criticised Leonardo Spa for ‘obstructing’ her investigation and turned down its applications to suspend the proceedings.
At the hearing Mrs Ashley also criticised the manufacturer for having no ‘corporate morals’.
The former RAF Harrier and F18 pilot sustained a broken back, hip and ankle and a fractured eye socket during air combat manoeuvres while training in Qatar in July 2019. He is pictured with wife Heather
The recovery of Mr Ashley’s body in Italy was filmed
She said: ‘There is no respect at all for my husband where are the ethics when they say they can’t comply with directions from the coroner.
‘My primary concern is to prevent his happening again.’
Paying tribute to her husband Mrs Ashley said’ He was quite some man, he certainly lived his life to the full and thanks goodness he did because sadly it was cut too short.
‘I can’t possibly began to explain how big a hole he has left.’
The family have filed a High Court claim against Leonardo seeking £1 million in damages which has been resolved.
A statement on behalf of the family from their legal representative James Healy-Pratt, of Keystone Law, said:’Mr David Ashley died in a tragic accident on 16 March 2022 on Mt Legone in Lombardy, northern Italy.
‘A civil action was commended in the English High Court which involved the manufacturer of the jet Leonardo Spa and the other pilot involved.
‘The parties confirm that a full resolution has been reached to the satisfaction of all parties.’
